Southern Yellow Pine

Material Type:
Softwood

Also Called:
Florida Pine, Florida Yellow Pine, Florida Longleaf Pine, Georgia Yellow Pine, Pitch Pine, Heart Pine, Spruce Pine, Slash Pine, Yellow Slash Pine

Durability Notes:
Southern Yellow Pine has moderate resistance to decay but can be vulnerable to insect attack. The sapwood is permeable for preservative treatment, but the heartwood is resistant. SYP is not normally used externally.

Seasoning:
The drying and seasoning of Southern Yellow Pine is dependant on a number of factors; the speed in which it is processed after felling and logging, the method of drying and the specific kilns or location (if air dried). Generally the care taken by those processing the wood will have an impact on its drying and seasoning. As an overview; Southern Yellow Pine - These pines dry well with little impact on the grade and quality of the wood. There is only small movement in service. Please note that all wood is liable to move when in service plus there can be dimensional change. The extent of this will depend on; the stability of the species itself, the conditions it is exposed to, the coating, decoration and protection. You will find more information about the suitability of this wood, for any proposed application, by using our interactive system and the filters shown.

Properties:
Southern Yellow Pine has high crushing, stiffness and bending strengths. Medium resistance to shock loads. The resin content makes it unsuitable for steam bending. The wood works fairly well with either hand or machine tools. It has a tolerable blunting effect on cutting edges but resin can clog cutters and saws. It planes, moulds, drills and turns fairly well. Glues, screws, sands and nails well. The wood has satisfactory qualities for painting, varnishing, staining and polishing.

Typical Uses:
Joinery, domestic flooring, railway sleepers ,Railroad ties, heavy construction, bridges, mine timbers, decking, boxes, crates, pallets, particleboard and pulp. Turpentine and resin are also produced from the wood.

Spiritual Properties:
Pine is a tree of peace. As an evergreen it reminds us that peace can be everlasting in our hearts. The pine cones and their magical seeds also suggest renewal. This wood is great for meditation and as sense of harmony.

Moisture Content:
12-18% KD

Wood Worker's Thoughts:
Nice timber to work with, there is a considerable hard and soft grain contrast both in appearance and texture

Commonly asked questions about Southern Yellow Pine Wood

Is Southern Yellow Pine a hardwood or a softwood? Southern Yellow Pine is a softwood. It is the same for; is Southern Yellow Pine hardwood or softwood? - Southern Yellow Pine is a softwood.

Most groups/families of species share the same characteristics but this normally relates to their life as plants. Individual species do not always share the same characteristics as their relatives, in terms of the wood. Many factors influence how we use the wood and what we use it for, including where it grows, how it is forested, how it seasons/dries, etc. The answers to the following common questions, therefore relate to this particular species/wood and not the Pine family as a whole. Even more specific – our answers relate to the wood (as we know it) in its form as a useable resource.

What colour is Southern Yellow Pine? Southern Yellow Pine can be described as white/cream (very light brown), yellow/brown, orange

Is Southern Yellow Pine good for outdoor use? or is Southern Yellow Pine good for exterior use? Southern Yellow Pine is most suited for interior/interior use. Southern Yellow Pine can be used as an exterior/external timber (without treatment).

Whether the wood is naturally durable or not we would still recommend that it is decorated and/or coated with a suitable product to provide protection and/or maintain its appearance. This even applies when using the wood internally as, even subtle, changes in temperature or humidity will affect the wood. This will depend on the application/purpose of the wood and the user’s desired appearance. We also recommend that a recoating, care and maintenance programme is adhered to, for the life of an exterior wood. Wood cannot rot if it is kept dry – coatings and decoration can provide this protection. All of that said there are many durable timbers that are often left to weather naturally and will last for many years untreated/coated – movement and visual changes will occur but this is sometimes the desired effect. All wood is hygroscopic (it 'wants' to be in tune with its environment) it will therefore take on water from moisture in the air (or when directly exposed to or submerged in water) and ‘release it’ when dry or exposed to heat. This, inevitably, results in movement and dimensional change. For more about moisture in wood please click here - Moisture in wood